Index of SPPS Budget Discussion http://www.e-democracy.org/stpaul/spps-posts.html _________________________________________ I think John hit the head squarely when he talked about a "line" in the definition of marriage. In short, morality - whereever/however you define it will define where your line lays. In general, I have few qualms over gay marriage but would still like some questions answered on the logic end of things because my "line" only goes so far.
1) Is this issue about biology and, therefore, human rights? More and more anthropololgists and ethologists are concluding that monogamy is an unnatural state. The last numbers I remember were something around 2% of animals being naturally monogamous. Therefore, if biology/human rights are the criterion then can we honestly disallow polygamous relationships if we are born that way? 2) Is the issue based on loving, committed relationships � fairness? If that is the criterion, then can we deny the old, widowed sisters, living together for going on 30 years the option of a civil union, or the gay couple their due or that throwback hippie commune that�s in a loving/committed multi-something relationship their day in front of a Justice of the Peace? 3) Is the issue one of contract law � those entering into contractual arrangements should be free to do so? If that is the criterion, then how do we deny the option of anyone entering into any type of situation � providing all concerned are of legal age. 4) Or is the issue one of morality? If that is the criterion, then each of us must decide where the �line� gets drawn. Is it at �normal� marriage, gay civil unions, gay marriage, bigamy, etc. Perhaps I�m missing a criterion, but ultimately the only one that paradoxically seems to work from a logical standpoint is the often illogical criterion of morality. Philip Fuehrer Highwood Hills __________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? Yahoo! Finance Tax Center - File online. File on time. http://taxes.yahoo.com/filing.html _____________________________________________ SPPS Budget Reduction Forum - Feb. 23-27 Co-Sponsored By NEAT: http://www.stpaulneat.org/ _____________________________________________ NEW ADDRESS FOR LIST: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To subscribe, modify subscription, or get your password - visit: http://www.mnforum.org/mailman/listinfo/stpaul Archive Address: http://www.mnforum.org/mailman/private/stpaul/
